Bryan Elementary Teacher Named Woman Of The Year

Mary T. Wallen's creed, "Try to do the things you think you can't do," has brought her community recognition.

A teacher of gifted students at Bryan Elementary School in Hampton, she has been named Woman of the Year by the First Colony Chapter of the American Business Women's Association.

They are recognizing her for outstanding work with talented Hampton students.

She previously was nominated for teacher of the year from Booker Elementary School.

Wallen has taught in Hampton City Schools for 15 years, since her graduation from Bridgewater State College in Massachussetts with a bachelor of science degree in education.

She is continuing to increase her knowledge of education by studying for a master's degree from the College of William and Mary.

Wallen teaches 47 gifted children from fourth- and fifth-grades in Hampton elementary schools at Bryan and is part of a teaching team for the gifted several days a week at Spratley Middle School.

"I find the children fun and exciting," she says. "They are full of interest, enthusiasm and curiosity. There's never a dull moment. Their minds work quick and I attempt to stay one step ahead or on some days to just stay even with them.

"I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. Working with kids gives me great satisfaction."

There are seven teachers for the gifted in city schools who have taken special classes in how to teach the advanced students.

Wallen has had 15 hours of such training.

They develop curriculae, hold workshops and conduct eligibility meetings to identify children who should be brought into the gifted program.

The students attend the gifted classes one day a week and pursue regular studies the other four, she says.

Wallen says the gifted students have different needs to be met because they are brighter than average.

Without the advance work, it is easy for them to become bored, she says.

"Sometimes, without challenges, they can get turned off at school," she says.

"A gifted student thinks with his or her whole body," she says. "They can't sit still, or keep quiet, because they are thinking, which is a real active process for them.

"It is very interesting and definitely a challenge. Sometimes they ask questions that are hard to answer. I try to figure it out with them or steer them in the direction to get answers."

Born at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash., she considers Hampton her hometown.

She is married to Rex Wallen, an engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding Co.